Hell and the Afterlife

[Philosopher]

Earlier today, a policeman was at my door and my first thought was "Oh no, what did I do." I hadn't done anything, but if I had...I know I would've been panicked. When I die, I will be put in front of God. My first thought might be the same as when the policeman came to my door. Except this time, all the sins of my life will be at the forefront of my mind. This is where I choose whether to be in Heaven in Hell. If I am ashamed, or stubborn, or unregretful of my sins, and attempt to weasel my way out of it somehow, while in the unescapable presence of God, I would choose hell. However, if I am truly sorry for my sins, and ask God to forgive me for them, I would choose heaven. In heaven, I would be at peace with God, and would be able to fill my self with His loving warmth. However, if I chose Hell, Gods presence would be a constant burden on my mind, it would tear at me, and eat away at me, my unforgiven sins would be warping his love into pain and hate inside me.

The choice between heaven and hell seems obvious, but I am sure it would be difficult for many people, possibly me.(I won't know until I get there!) Asking God for forgiveness is so simple, and all it takes to acheive heaven, but our minds can easily be clouded and we accept manipulation from unpure influence, thus our sin, and thus our stubborness with holding onto that sin.


Enough of my midnight ramblings! What do you think about this idea? Do you agree/disagree? Do you believe in an afterlife at all? What is your personal concept of it?

 

[Dedpuhl]

What is it with you and the police??

Anyway, there is no heaven or hell. When we die, we become worm food. The end...

 

[gnognugs]

Why does the afterlife (if any), have to be about heaven and hell?
Are these concepts archetypical?
What does forgiveness mean to you?
Are you feeling guilty?
Why do you feel you may not make the right choice at the moment of truth?
What does forgiveness mean to you?
Are you feeling guilty?

 

[yakko]

Dedpuhl,

How do you know?

 

[woodie1]

The only way religion can get anyone to follow their utterings is with the threat of hell if you don't believe and the promise of a heaven if you do.

Now which religion is the correct one?

Guess we are all doomed.

 

[Dedpuhl]

Yakko

johnjohn320 told me so

 

[Pyro]

yeah, you better become celibate too, sex is a sin you know. god will never forgive you!

 

[yakko]

Dedpuhl,

What about floppies then?

 

[Bignate603]

sex is a sin
sins are forgiven
Forget the good book
and bring on the women

j/k

Actually I'm pretty serious about my religion too. However, my church doesn't believe in hell, doesn't exist at all. There is no threat of damnation for being bad, the punishment will mostly be your own guilt. How bad would you feel if you were stuck up in front of God, who made you, and knew that he saw everything you've done? I would be scared if my mother knew everything i've done, let alone my creator.

 

[Raspewtin]

i think afterlife is what some religions concocted to socially engineer society as they wished without actually paying any costs. "If you do what we say is right, you'll get paid bigtime, but after you die. If you don't act as we wish, we may not be able to punish you adequately now, but we'll definitely get around to it after you die " Afterlife may exist, but for me it's a nonissue since no one can really know.



<< God, who made you, and knew that he saw everything you've done? >>




I'd say &quot;God, can I be the all powerful, perfect, infalliable, omnipotent being today and you can be the imperfect, mistake prone me? We can see how both of us fare and compare notes. &quot;

 

[Elita1]

Woodie1--- who threatened you with hell? who promised you heaven? who ever did that was mistaken. No one can say who is to go to heaven or hell. Only God, who knows everything in our heart can make that decision.

Dedpuhl---pardon the pun but you sure as hell will be surprised when you kick the bucket

Pyro--that's why I love being catholic! sex is not only right and good, it's friggin' sacramental!

bignate---what religion are you? just curious.

 

[Dedpuhl]

What about floppies then

I don't believe everything he says...

 

[UG]

Philosopher;

You're needlessly conflicted. Loose the unOriginal Assumption and you'll be just fine.

And the police are there to protect you. Have no fear.

 

[Dedpuhl]

Dedpuhl---pardon the pun but you sure as hell will be surprised when you kick the bucket


I stopped believing in fairy tales and superstitions when I reached the age of reason.

 

[Elita1]

<< I'd say &quot;God, can I be the all powerful, perfect, infalliable, omnipotent being today and you can be the imperfect, mistake prone me? We can see how both of us fare and compare notes. &quot; >>



Well, Raspewtin, I'm just guessing here, but God may just have a bit of trouble granting your wish...He may be suffocating with all that hot air you're blowing

 

[Elita1]

Dedpuhl...WOW, your words have just made me realize what an utter fool I've been all this time!
*Gasp*
You are so wise; I hope I can be like you, someday!
(note for those who have reached &quot;the age of reason&quot;:this post may contain sarcasm)

 

[Dedpuhl]

this post may contain sarcasm

Wow.

Anyway, I told myself that I would never engage in religious combat on anandtech again. Every time it turns into a big flame war.

 

[Whisper]

There's a heaven, but as far as hell goes, I think it's more of a temporary holding-cell type place. I don't truly believe that God would punish someone for mortal sins by sentencing them to eternal damnation. Heck, I don't believe that God punishes anyone just for punishment's sake. Just my thoughts, but I haven't been proven wrong yet

 

[UG]

Whisper;

Certainly, the concept of Heaven exists. That Heaven actually exists even you cannot possibly know.

 

[Whisper]

In my mind, it's as good as existant. But like I said, that's just my own personal belief. Everyone else is entitled to their own just as I am to mine

 

[UG]

<...In my mind, it's as good as existant...>

What's a reasonable facsimile worth when it's not the real thing?

 

[Whisper]

Like you just said: the real thing won't be known to any of us until we aren't able to post on these boards any longer. In my mind and soul (say it's corny if you wish, but it's the best way to explain it) I can feel and know that Heaven exists. That's all the proof I need, and it wasn't easy to come by.

 

[Elita1]

Dedpuhl... oh, honey, this is not a flame war. Trust me when you get into a flame war with me, you will know. :Q
A hint: if it's got smileys, It's not a fight.
So relax and enjoy your Sunday. Glad to see you are so impressed by the sarcasm of someone so young and foolish in your eyes

 

[UG]

Whisper;

It's nice that you have a personal absolute in which to believe. Everyone has at least one. Still, that doesn't require others to presume your personal absolute to be Universal.

 

[Whisper]

I never said it did. Notice in my post that I mentioned it as my own personal belief, and that everyone else is entitled to their own. I have never and will never attempt to force my beliefs on another person. If they're curious about it, then I'm happy to discuss. Otherwise, it's up to you what you wish to find comfort in.